Solvay Specialty Polymers achieves NORSOK compliance

Solvay Specialty Polymers, global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics, announced yesterday at the Offshore Technology Conference (booth 5324) that semi-finished tubes made of its KetaSpire^® KT-820 NT polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin achieved NORSOK M-710 compliance for use in highly demanding oil and gas applications.

Semi-finished tubes manufactured by ATO s.r.l. from Solvay ‘s KetaSpire® KT-820 NT polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin achieved NORSOK M-710 compliance for use in highly demanding oil and gas applications. ATO plans to specify the high-performance polymer for additional products distributed under its STABIL label, including bearings, seals and back-up rings that target critical oil and gas equipment and installations.

ATO s.r.l., a top supplier of sealing components based in Milan, Italy, manufactured the semi-finished tubes using its STABIL Hot Compression Molding process.

Following the certification of KetaSpire^® PEEK, ATO unveiled plans to specify the high-performance polymer for additional products distributed under its STABIL label, including bearings, seals and back-up rings that target critical oil and gas equipment and installations.

NORSOK standards are an internationally recognised set of testing methodologies originally developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry. The M-710 standard specifically defines requirements for critical non-metallic (polymer) sealing, seat and back-up materials for permanent sub-sea applications.

Element Hitchin, an independent testing and analytical laboratory (formerly known as Materials Engineering Research Laboratory, or MERL) based outside of London, evaluated KetaSpire KT-820 NT PEEK according to NORSOK M-710 multi-phase sour service conditions in fluid at 10 percent hydrogen sulfide, 5% carbon dioxide and 85% methane at 10 MPa (100 Bar) and at test temperatures of 200°C (392°F), 210°C (410°F) and 220°C (428°F). The exposure testing spanned 49 days and periodically measured swelling and tensile properties of the KetaSpire KT-820 NT resin samples. The tests showed Solvay’s high-performance PEEK delivered very good resistance to sour gas and no measurable chemical deterioration during the test period.

“As the sealing industry continues to specify very high performance, quality and durability, we are excited to collaborate with Solvay as an innovative global supplier of PEEK resins,” said Davide Polloni, Business Export Manager for ATO.

“Our relationship ensures access to cutting-edge new materials as well as Solvay’s industry-leading technical expertise as ATO seeks to develop advanced solutions for challenging oil and gas applications.”

“KetaSpire KT-820 NT resin’s qualification under NORSOK M-170 further highlights Solvay’s commitment to work with suppliers within the sealing industry to help support and develop next-generation materials solutions,” said Art Tigera, Business Development Manager for Ultra Polymers at Solvay Specialty Polymers. “We look forward to continued collaboration with ATO to further cultivate our advanced polymer materials into reliable, new solutions for the global oil and gas industry.”

KetaSpire PEEK is one of the industry’s most chemically resistant plastics and offers an exceptional combination of strength and toughness, along with superior fatigue resistance and a continuous-use temperature of 240°C (464°F). It also exhibits high purity and consistent high quality in processing and part performance. Glass fiber-reinforced and carbon fiber-reinforced grades provide a wide range of performance options for demanding applications.

Solvay Specialty Polymers is exhibiting at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) at the Belgium Pavilion (booth 5324).

Edited from source by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/05052015/solvay-specialty-polymers-achieves-norsok-compliance/